BOOKWORM.

Aside from writing and expressing my thoughts through the power of pen, I also love books. I love to read. My passion for reading, I should say, was in-born. I live to read and I read to live. Whenever I feel bored, lonely, have nothing to do, couldn’t find my way to sleep, I get a book and lose myself in the world of the imagination and the subconscious.

But since I couldn’t afford to buy a lot of books and other reading materials, I simply try to borrow some with my friends and classmates. It’s really great that they are ready to lend me the books they have.

I used to borrow books from my classmates and friends. All the books I had read that time were all borrowed. I didn’t buy any book, except those that were really needed in class. Why? Because I knew then that it was not practical for me to buy even one which was not actually needed or had nothing to do in my studies.

After graduation, I no longer read books. I just satisfied myself reading newspapers and other stuff in the Internet like e-books if I had spare time.

I suddenly missed my bookworm self…

I wanted to go book shopping, but then again a part of me said that it was not practical for me to do that, that I had more important things to buy, that I should save rather than spend my money with books, that I should allot my personal money with my basic needs. I suddenly felt frustrated for I couldn’t buy those books that I wanted to have because of these things that I had to consider.

But then I tried to cast out that feeling of frustration I had. I just put in mind that it was all right because I was just prioritizing things and was being rational enough. I convinced myself that books are just books – only material things that I could probably have in the future and not now.

Now, I understand more the situation I have. I no longer feel frustrated or upset if ever I couldn’t buy the things that I want to have. I’m glad that I have this positive attitude. I’m happy that I’m enlightened. I’m proud that I’m not running away with my responsibility to my younger brothers and that I’ve learned to weigh and prioritize things and allot my money to those things which are more needed and not with things I simply like but are not that necessary.

Though I couldn’t buy the books I want to have, my passion for reading is still here. And I’m thankful that there are people who enthusiastically lend me the books they have.

HAPPY VALENTINES DAY TO MY MOM & DAD!

I love you Mom. I love you Dad.

I have noticed that many of the white people I've known say it frequently. Women more than men, of course. Lucky me, some might say, to be around so much love. But then, is it "love," when people say it so often, almost like a habit, or like, a duty? And even if these expressions of love usually are genuine, is saying "I love you" the only way to express love? Of course not. But maybe saying it a lot is an especially white thing. Which is not necessarily to say that it's not something that some other racial or ethnic groups say a lot too. I see white people habitually ending phone conversations this way--kind of, hurriedly.
"I love you! Bye!" I've seen them saying it to their children as they drop them off at school, again as the last or second-to-last thing they say: "Bye! I love you, you know!" It's sweet, I suppose, and as I was growing up, my own mother said it a lot too. I know she meant it, but I sometimes cynically wondered how sincere she really was, if she kept saying it so often. My father didn't say it often. He hardly ever said it. I now realize, with gratitude, that he showed it instead. Actually, that's how I hear it generally works in some other cultures -- don't say it, show it.
Maybe, instead of saying "I love you" a lot being a white thing, not saying it much is more of an Asian thing? No -- I'd need a lot more evidence before I could safely say that. Again, at this point I can only speculate, and sift through largely anecdotal evidence.
I don't know much about how love is expressed among other groups, and I suppose even what "love" itself is could vary widely across cultures. Who knows, when different people say "I love you," they might be saying very different things.
I also imagine other factors play a role, such as gender, as well as socioeconomic status, and all that goes (or doesn't go) with it. Being exhausted or frustrated or frantically busy can leave little time or inclination for expressing one's love. And yet, people still do find ways, don't they? I remember the following poem, by African American poet Robert Hayden, about a father who found ways to show his love, apparently instead of saying it.

Those Winter Sundays
Sundays too my father got up early
And put his clothes on in the blueback cold,
then with cracked hands that ached
from labor in the weekday weather made
banked fires blaze. No one ever thanked him.

I'd wake and hear the cold splintering, breaking.
When the rooms were warm, he'd call,
and slowly I would rise and dress,
fearing the chronic angers of that house,

Speaking indifferently to him,
who had driven out the cold
and polished my good shoes as well.
What did I know, what did I know
of love's austere and lonely offices?

What do you think?

Is it an especially white thing to say "I love you" a lot? Or maybe, to say it lightly? And to put less emphasis on instead showing it?

Do you think white people tend to say that more often than members of other racial or ethnic groups?

And if so -- why might that be?

Easy Steps Lead to Good Grades in College

Plan your life. Academic success starts before you ever set foot in class; it starts at registration time. Arrange your schedule to include a mix of writing-heavy classes and reading-heavy classes. Don't schedule all of the hard classes of your major in the same semester.

Attend class. Some professors will take attendance, and others won't. As tempting as it is to avoid the classes that don't require attendance, it's to your advantage if you do. Studies show that people learn more if they receive information in multiple ways. By hearing information from your professor and writing and later reading y you will take in more information in the first place...before you even study.

Take notes...some. Don't be dogged about writing down what you hear. Rather, listen and really understand what the professor is saying. Then write it down, paraphrasing it in your own words and adding whatever context will help you later remember what you heard.

Organize your notes. Keep all your notes for one class in one notebook. Date you notes as you start them, and also write down the name of the class. Try to get a system for each class, whether it's an outline based on Roman numerals or headings with bulleted lists underneath. Leave plenty of space on each page for going back and adding comments made later (not all professors are themselves organized) and just for easier reading down the road.

Read your notes every day or every week. Be familiar with them before it comes time to study for the test. When you re-read them, copy or clarify them if your original handwriting was poor.

Plan to work. Although you're in class much less time in college than in high school, professors expect you to spend a significant amount of that out-of-class time studying and doing other work to contribute to your academic life. In fact, for every hour you're in class, you should be studying two hours outside of class. If you're taking a 12-hour course load (close to minimum for full-time undergraduates), you should be studying 24 hours a week outside of class.

Don't procrastinate. Even if you only have one test in a week or in a couple of weeks, cramming at the last minute is not the best way to pass. Aside from that whole not learning as much thing, cramming also makes the days surrounding the test miserable, and y won't do as well on the exam. You can't take in weeks' worth of information in just a couple of study sessions, and staying up all night to cram will only leave you without the clear thinking that could help you through at least a few of the questions. Study a little bit throughout the semester, and increase your study time in the weeks leading up the test. That will yield the best results.

Find your study spot. Different people study differently. Figure out if you learn more by studying with other people or by yourself. Do you need quiet, or do you work better with a little ambient noise? Consider not what you prefer or what makes the time pass faster, but rather what helps you focus the most and retain the most information.

Learn to say no. On a college campus, there's always something going on. To succeed in classes, you absolutely must practice some self-control. Set limits for yourself about how often you'll go out, what nights you'll consume alcohol, how late you'll stay out, and what you will accomplish before going out. Don't neglect a social life, but take everything in moderation.

Ask for help. Campuses are filled with professors, teaching assistants, tutors, and lab assistants who can help you catch up academically. Be willing to work hard, but know when you need a little help...and ask for it. There's nothing to be embarrassed about, except for failing the class and having to retake it because you were too stubborn to seek extra instruction.

BITTER SWEET

Some things are easier to remember, and some are easier to forget. I can remember my most embarrassing moment as if it happened yesterday. I've tried, over the years, to forget this moment, but it just never seems to go away. As I've gotten older, I can think back to that day and just laugh. I was 12 years old when my family and I moved to a new neighborhood. I was starting my 6th grade year in a new school, with new people and no friends. I was a quiet and shy person, so I never hung out with the other neighborhood kids. Before school had started, I had met a few people whom I became good friends. We share our best experiences with each other and sometimes hang out to enjoy our vacation.

I am very happy with my new acquaintances. Suddenly, a big trouble burst in my life. It all happened when my Mom told me that she and my dad were going to abroad for our better education and also to support our relatives. I and my sister disagree once we have heard that news. We don’t want to be separated with our parents at a young age. But still, I understand their purpose, that they are just doing that thing for our own sake.

I can’t explain what I am going to feel that moment. I don’t want to talk to anyone even to my mom. I was so disappointed to myself because I didn’t make her feel happy for the last time that we were together. All I want is to be with my parents especially that time we are in a new house wherein I don’t give any trust to other people there.


It came to a point that I became disrespectful to my brother and sister. I don’t obey them every time they give me some responsibility in our house. I often commit mistake and doesn’t even have time for my family. Together with my peers, we used to go to malls and have some joy rides every night that made my sister angry because I always go home late.

Naaaaaah! I shouted loudly. It’s a nightmare. All was just a nightmare that made me feel embarrassed. I don’t know why. Maybe that was the first time in my life that I am going to do those things and fortunately that is just in my dreams only. Things won’t happen in real life. I promised it to myself that I will not let myself to do wicked things that will make my family embarrassed that they have a daughter like me. I want it to be reverse. Something that will make them proud, and eventually they will say to other people that, their daughter is responsible and bright enough to handle things maturely.

HOW TO COPE WITH BEING SMALL..

1. Accept that you are small, and don't allow it to bother you. Everyone is different and this is what makes you unique.
2. Eat plenty of healthy foods if you are still growing. Avoid soda and drink milk instead. It helps with the growing process.
3. Avoid being bullied in school for being small. You should tell somebody about it like a close friend, a teacher, your boss or your parents.
4. Work out with weights. This can help you build muscle, helping you to not appear as small. Building muscle is better than building fat.
5. Understand that being small isn't the problem. People's reactions can be the problem, health troubles can be the problem, stores not carrying the right size can be the problem, feeling bad because you're small can be the problem. Don't blame your size-you're not the problem.
6. Know that the grass is always going to seem greener on the other side of the fence, but it rarely is. Sometimes it helps to get to know people who are different in other ways. You find out what you have in common, and advantages you didn't know you had.
7. Carry yourself well and be proud. Find an image of yourself in your mind that you like, and remember it. Walk with confidence. Let yourself relax, take up space, let your arms swing freely. Choose a style you like and take pride in your appearance. Learn to dance, do yoga, etc. Talk to people face on. Don't be afraid to look them in the eyes and smile.
8. Focus on a talent. If there's something that you excel at or have a talent at, focus on that. Keep working hard at your talent and people will recognize you for that and not your height.

GIVE IT UP!

Ever had that feeling when you feel so comfortable with where you are in life you kind of stop growing? Well, this is where I am now.
It sucks to know that I have sort of become dependent on an identity crutch of sorts and fail to see my life beyond that. I have fallen for the hipness of the student lifestyle even though I am not living it to the full extent I should be, just the idea thereof has me quite mesmerized.
When I started university, I thought I would just go with the flow of things and get involved and participate in wonderful artistic things around me. Most people around me had completely different interests, and more so were non-adventurous and stagnant, unless you count the weekly clubbing trips as novel and adventurous.

I am determined to get the most out of my life right now, the student life, yet somehow I feel it will hold me back from really facing the future one day.
But I know why I have been holding on to this world so dearly. It is, honestly, my only sanctuary. Academics have always been the thing I obsessed about just to hide from the emotional scars that my parents would inflict on me.
It’s been only one day since I finished exams. I was happy yesterday, being tipsy with all my classmates not all of whom I am totally familiar with in a big sketchy house downtown. It felt real and natural, and I felt a sense of unity with everyone there, something I have seldom felt about my family. I have had only a half an hour conversation with my two respective parents, and I already feel emotionally drained and I would really rather be writing more exams.
Despite what may come through with this, I am utterly optimistic and rational at the same time about where I want to be in life and who I want to be with. It bothers me when smart people such as my mom bring themselves down.

I can see myself, in another 10 years or so, becoming one of those career-obsessed women, but to me that is sort of a pretty awesome place to be at, knowing that I wouldn’t have to stop being progressive in my personality and thoughts. I have had enough stasis in my life as a mere 17 year old.

I sort of sometimes feel that I am at one of the worse situations in life one can be at. I am broke, with few close friendships, a craptacular family dynamic, no boyfriend. The list go on much further. However, in the last year, I have learned to be grateful for what I have and love myself nonetheless. At harsh times like this I am glad this is the way I am. It can only really get better.
In the last week, things have looked up for me.
This weekend, I am moving into a house full of random people I have never met, which I am quite excited about.


In conclusion to this academic year (HIGH SCHOOL), I have learned a few important things or have had reaffirmations about certain things in general.
1. You are responsible for your own happiness.

2. Be nice to everyone around you, but know that nobody is as awesome to have a billion best friends. Stick with those who know and appreciate you best, but don’t get tied down to that circle of friends.
3. Do random crap that put you out of your comfort zone, but be safe.
4. Start conversations with people. It makes you seem almost human.
5. Dress well! It goes a longer way than one would expect.
6. Don’t lie to yourself, it only complicates things further.
7. Live organically and naturalistically rather than a machine programmed to complete tasks.
8. Make use of free will. Nobody can ever make you do anything.
9. Take opportunities to express yourself with art.
10. No matter how crappy things get, life goes on, for better or worse, but usually better.

THIS IS REAL. THIS IS ME.

FOOTPRINT IN THE SAND

“I wish that I could say that I have completely pulled myself through this period of not knowing who I am, however in contrast, the struggle to regain solid ground has been all uphill and the burden of feeling lost in my world became magnified, more confused, and a period of testing that I am not even sure how I survived this time, except by the grace of God and the support of my family and friends. I am confident, however, that these trials that I have been going through are going to work out for the good, eventually.”

Way back July 19, 1992 around 10 in the morning, my Mom gave birth to me in a public hospital in Taguig. Mr. Gene C. Jetomo and Mrs. Susan L. Jetomo named me as their youngest daughter, Joyce. As my mom told me, I was a joyful and bouncing baby girl weighted 9 pounds, covering my body of light complexion and a quite long-black curly hair. I have 2 siblings, my sister Irene, was a very supportive one since I’ve been part of the family and my brother Mark Anthony which is a studious and always kept on teasing me when I am still young.
Several days passed, certain growth can be seen obviously in my way of crying and moving. Conceivably, it was the result of my mom’s sleepless nights of breastfeeding and keeping me safe while I was still awake at night.


At the age of six, I started to go in Kindergarten in Ciriaco P. Tinga Elementary School in Taguig. It was also the start of my life being a student. I still remember the time that I was crying because my mom is about to leave me in the classroom. Ever since I was a child I was more of being realistic, I never care to be happy if that would only resulted to senseless things. I care more about my dreams, on my future and not what is in the present. For me letting the time to elapse is craziness.
To be journalist is my dream, a journalist who is not just a journalist in name but who will write or report what is unseen, unknown by our naked eye. I think the most important characteristic to have as a journalist is honesty. This is very important to have because if you lie about information in your story it sets you up for a possibility of being sued. Perhaps that was the reason I chosen to give up the fantasy world of being a child. And turn my world on its harder part.
I worked so hard and even forced myself to reach even the things which are beyond my limitation. I never learned to complain maybe because I enjoyed what I was doing and that was my own will somehow. When someone pushes me to do something which I don’t like, I certainly tell it to him so that he won’t get disappointed, but sometimes I do it because I think I’m doing something not just for my own, rather for the sake of others. I bear in mind that matter when my Dad told me that I have to learn to do such things for the sake of others, probably for their own good. It’s quite good to help others; it’s a bit satisfying after helping them.


Studying in the same school in Taguig, I started my first grade as an active student of the class. I assure myself to pursue my talent in declamation that made me first place in the competition I have joined. I’ve been active in my school especially in writing in our School Paper. At that time, I was also the representative in Division and Regional School Press Conference. I can write both Editorial and Feature articles. Fortunately, I brought home the bacon in the said Press Conference. When I graduated, I am very proud for my family to have flying colors. I know it was just another stepping stone in my career.
That conquest gave me another inspiration to strive harder…
Long break seems turned to a very short period of time. I started the higher level and became friendlier as I am. Four years in high school was quite difficult not because of the restless time doing my homework and other extracurricular activities and terror teachers but because of those unforgettable things that really made me strong. My persistence was tested to all forms of biases, favoritism and other forms of immature deeds. That time I tend to give up but my mother tapped me on my shoulder. My mom served as my motivation and my vigor at the time I was crossing the bridge. I still worked hard for myself and for my family; I just choose to close my eyes while I was travelling in that short but dark part of my life. I just covered my ears and pretended I heard nothing but angelic voices. It was Him.


Another footprint in the sand…
Being a college student is pretty hard for all of us. All we have to do is to open those strange doors for us to succeed. For me, these strange doors are opportunities that will come to us in most unexpected ways. It might give us hesitation or even confusion but one thing for sure, it will help us to grow and mold and later on to be a successful person somehow. Still, we can do all things better through Him who strengthens us. Just keep on believing and we’ll see in the end, we are triumph over even in the highest mountain that we can reach.

To accomplish great things, we must not only act, but also dream, not only plan, but also believe. – Anatole France